Yesteryear actress Saira Banu speaks of the choices she has made in her life and in her career, why she doesn’t regret them, and how her world revolves around the man she married, her own Dilip saab.
Dev saab (Dev Anand) and filmmaker Vijay Anand would have denied it completely, but Guide was offered to me twice. It is a fact that Ted Danielsky (director of the English version) came to me with Guide. At that time I was supposed to start Mehboob Khan’s Habba Khatoon. Mehboob saab required uninterrupted dates in Kashmir. The leading man opposite me was none other than Dilip Kumar. How could I give up this opportunity? Habba Khatoon never got made. But when I look at Guide, I realise I could have never done what Waheedaji (Waheeda Rehman) did. For one, I was no dancer. I would have looked a complete misfit as a married woman.
My life changed completely the day I married this amazing man. Before marriage, I was a pampered daughter who bathed in besan every evening and lived a fairytale existence. Today after 44 years of marriage, I run around the house bare feet making sure my husband is comfortable. He is my world.
I have been singularly blessed to be a granddaughter to one of the most accomplished classical vocalists of her time, daughter to one of the most ravishingly beautiful actresses ever, and wife to the greatest actor. What more can I desire? I am not being a martyr when I say I don’t regret putting my career on the backburner. I am grateful for every day that I get with the people I love. Every touch and hug that I got from my grandmom and mom was therapeutic. Of course I go through my share of depression, specially now when my grandmother and mother are gone. Now it is just Yusuf saab, my brother (Sultan) and me. It is a small but happy family. I am at my best within my family fold. Outside, I am withdrawn, aloof and reserved. I constantly need my cuddles and hugs from my loved ones. How could I sacrifice that to work under the harsh lights?
And I won’t say I sacrificed my career to be with my family. I am as attached to my career as a producer as I was to my career as an actress. As a producer I have the freedom to carry my work home. I can’t neglect the home that my mother built and Yusuf saab and I nurtured like our own child. I will give my serial the attention it deserves. (But) if my husband or brother needs me, I won’t think twice before leaving the serial in the hands of my very professional team.
I have no regrets. Except for the fact that God Almighty suddenly snatches away our loved ones. God took away my grandmother and mother. My mother lived like a queen. But she left me so poor by going away so suddenly.
